Text metrics
Reading time calculator
Enter a word count or paste text to see how long it takes to read at silent, aloud, or presentation pace.
How it works
The formula
Reading time depends on two things: the number of words and the reading speed, measured in words per minute (wpm). The formula is simple:
Time (minutes) = Words ÷ WPM × 60
Multiply by 60 to convert from the decimal fraction of a minute to seconds.
The three speeds here are drawn from research. Silent reading of English non-fiction averages 238 words per minute according to a meta-analysis of 190 studies. Reading aloud (such as presenting a paper) is slower, at about 183 words per minute. Presentation pace—the speed you should assume for a formal speech or talk—sits at around 140 words per minute, which aligns with public speaking guidance.
These are averages. Individuals vary, and complex texts read slower than simple ones. Use these figures as a baseline: if your text is denser than typical, add a buffer.
Reading times at a glance
The table below shows how long it takes to read common word counts at each speed.
| Words | Silent (238 wpm) | Aloud (183 wpm) | Presentation (140 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0:25 | 0:33 | 0:43 |
| 250 | 1:03 | 1:22 | 1:47 |
| 500 | 2:06 | 2:44 | 3:34 |
| 750 | 3:09 | 4:06 | 5:21 |
| 1000 | 4:12 | 5:28 | 7:09 |
| 1500 | 6:18 | 8:12 | 10:43 |
| 2000 | 8:24 | 10:56 | 14:17 |
| 2500 | 10:30 | 13:40 | 17:51 |
| 3000 | 12:36 | 16:24 | 21:26 |
| 5000 | 21:01 | 27:19 | 35:43 |
| 10000 | 42:01 | 54:39 | 71:26 |
FAQ
Questions
How many words should I assume in a 5-minute speech?
At a presentation pace of 140 words per minute, five minutes of speaking is roughly 700 words. At a conversational speed of 183 wpm (closer to how we read aloud naturally), it rises to about 915 words. When preparing a talk, aim for the slower end—140 wpm gives you breathing room for pauses and emphasis.
Is silent reading faster than reading aloud?
Yes. Silent reading averages 238 words per minute, while reading aloud averages 183 wpm. The gap comes from the physical act of speaking, which slows comprehension slightly. If you are presenting a paper, budget for the slower pace.
Why do different people read at different speeds?
Reading speed depends on the text's complexity, your familiarity with the subject, and your reading skill. A learner's guide reads faster than academic prose. A native English speaker typically reads faster than a second-language reader. Skimming is much faster than close reading. These figures represent average adult reading of standard English text.
Should I use 140 or 183 wpm for a recorded video or podcast?
For a recorded voice-over or podcast, aim for 140–150 words per minute if you want your audience to follow comfortably without needing to rewind. Slower pacing also sounds more natural and authoritative. Professional speakers often use 140–160 wpm deliberately.
How is the word count measured?
When you paste text, the calculator counts words using the standard definition: sequences of characters separated by spaces, tabs, or line breaks. Hyphenated words (like "well-known") count as one word. Contractions (like "it's") count as one word. Numbers count as words if they are separated by space.
Sources